Best craft beer in Estes Park? Estes Park Brewery is Colorado's highest elevation brewery with house-brewed classics since 1994. The Barrel has 64 rotating taps—the biggest selection in town. For beer gardens, Full Throttle Distillery has a massive outdoor space. Rock Cut Brewing offers mountain views with their small-batch brews. Most spots feature Colorado craft exclusively.
Estes Park Brewery (The Hive)
$8-15 | 470 Prospect Village Dr
Colorado's highest elevation brewery and the original craft beer pioneer in Estes Park since 1994. They brew everything on-site—the Stinger Wild Honey Wheat and Renegade Red are local legends. Two-level space with pool tables downstairs. Free beer samples at the bar while you decide. The upstairs restaurant (The Hive) serves excellent food including bison short ribs and elk burgers. This is where the craft beer scene started in Estes Park.
Must-try: Stinger Wild Honey Wheat, Renegade Red, Longs Peak Raspberry Wheat. Bonus: Free samples.
The Barrel
$10-20 | 123 E Elkhorn Ave
The best craft beer selection in Estes Park with 64 rotating taps. That's not a typo—sixty-four Colorado and craft beers on draft. They take their tap list seriously, rotating in everything from local IPAs to rare stouts. Food trucks rotate through, or grab bar food inside. Downtown location means easy access after exploring Elkhorn Ave. This is beer nerd paradise.
Must-try: Ask what's new on rotation, flight of 4. Why go: 64 taps, biggest selection in town.
Rock Cut Brewing Company
$8-15 | 390 W Riverside Dr
Small-batch brewing with creative seasonal rotations—they're not afraid to experiment. The outdoor patio has mountain views, and food trucks rotate through (check their social media). Spacious, laid-back atmosphere that feels authentically Colorado. Water bowls for dogs, friendly staff, and beer that rivals anything in Denver. Locals rate their IPAs highly.
Must-try: Whatever's seasonal, house IPA, amber ale. Vibe: Relaxed mountain brewery with views.
Full Throttle Distillery & Grill
$12-25 | 1240 Big Thompson Ave
House-distilled moonshine plus a massive outdoor beer garden—one of the biggest patios in Estes Park. Free moonshine tastings at the bar, but they also have a solid Colorado craft beer selection on tap. The food is better than you'd expect from a distillery. Live music on weekends. Perfect for groups who want variety—some can sample moonshine while others drink craft beer.
Must-try: Free moonshine tasting, Colorado craft on tap. Best for: Groups, massive beer garden.
Estes Park Distilling Co.
$12-25 | 226 Park Ln
Free moonshine tastings are the draw, but they also pour Colorado craft beers. Their espresso moonshine and butter pecan sipping cream are unlike anything else. Pizza menu is solid. The vibe is casual and fun—they encourage sampling before committing. Good option if someone in your group wants spirits while you want beer.
Must-try: Free moonshine tasting, espresso moonshine, Colorado craft beer. Unique: Butter pecan sipping cream.
Dark Horse Bar & Grill
$10-20 | 124 W Elkhorn Ave
Classic mountain bar with a rotating Colorado craft beer selection. Pool tables, good food, and a mix of locals and tourists. Their burger is excellent, and the wings are some of the best in Estes Park. The vibe is unpretentious—come for beer, stay for the atmosphere. Downtown location makes it easy to bar hop.
Must-try: Whatever Colorado brew is rotating, wings, burger. Vibe: Classic local mountain bar.
Wapiti Colorado Pub
$15-25 | 184 E Elkhorn Ave
Gastropub with a huge beer selection featuring Colorado breweries. Their Wapiti burger is one of the best in town—local beef, quality toppings. They take beer seriously here, rotating in taps from across the Front Range. The downtown location and patio make it a good spot to settle in for a few rounds.
Must-try: Colorado craft on tap, Wapiti burger. Setting: Downtown gastropub with solid beer program.
Latitude 105 Alehouse
$15-25 | Holiday Inn Estes Park
Don't let the hotel location fool you. 18 rotating craft beer taps, mountain views from the patio, and surprisingly good food. The poutine with homemade tots pairs perfectly with a Colorado IPA. Dog-friendly patio. Happy hour deals make this one of the better values in town for craft beer.
Must-try: Whatever's on the 18 rotating taps, poutine. Bonus: Dog-friendly patio, mountain views.
Rapids Lodge Restaurant & Bar
$15-30 | 209 S Saint Vrain Ave
Historic lodge from 1910 with a solid bar and Colorado craft beer selection. The outdoor deck overlooks the Fall River—you can watch kayakers while sipping local IPAs. The setting alone is worth the visit, and the food is better than most historic lodges. A more upscale option for craft beer in a scenic setting.
Must-try: Colorado craft on tap, trout. Setting: Historic riverside deck from 1910.
Lonigans Saloon
$8-18 | 110 W Elkhorn Ave
Downtown Irish pub with a local crowd and cold craft beer. Pool tables, live music, and a vibe that won't judge your hiking attire. They keep a solid tap selection of Colorado and craft beers. Stays open late for Estes Park standards. Perfect when you want a casual beer without the tourist scene.
Must-try: Whatever's on tap, bar snacks. Vibe: Casual Irish pub, local crowd, late hours.
Tips for Craft Beer in Estes Park
Start at The Barrel if you want variety. With 64 taps, you can sample across the Colorado craft beer scene without brewery hopping. Ask what's new—they rotate constantly.
Estes Park Brewery is the history pick. They've been brewing since 1994 at Colorado's highest elevation. Free samples help you find your favorite before committing to a pint.
Altitude affects alcohol absorption. At 7,500 feet, beer hits harder than at sea level. Pace yourself, especially on your first day. Hydrate between pints.
No Uber or Lyft in Estes Park. Plan your brewery crawl around walking distance downtown (The Barrel, Dark Horse, Lonigans, Wapiti are all walkable), or designate a driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many breweries are in Estes Park?
Two breweries brew on-site: Estes Park Brewery (since 1994) and Rock Cut Brewing Company. Two distilleries (Full Throttle, Estes Park Distilling) also have beer gardens. The Barrel has 64 taps featuring Colorado breweries.
Which place has the most beer on tap?
The Barrel has 64 rotating taps—by far the biggest selection in Estes Park. Latitude 105 Alehouse has 18 rotating taps. Most other bars have 8-15 taps.
Are there brewery tours in Estes Park?
Estes Park Brewery occasionally offers informal tours—ask at the bar. The distilleries offer tastings. Most breweries are small enough that you can see the tanks from the taproom.
Can I bring my dog to breweries?
Rock Cut Brewing is very dog-friendly. Latitude 105 allows dogs on the patio. Full Throttle's beer garden welcomes dogs. Call ahead to confirm current policies.
What's the best beer to try in Estes Park?
Estes Park Brewery's Stinger Wild Honey Wheat is a local classic. Rock Cut's seasonal rotations are creative. At The Barrel, ask what's new on the 64 taps—there's always something interesting.
Is craft beer expensive in Estes Park?
Pints run $6-8 at breweries, similar to Denver prices. Bars charge $7-10. Flights (4-5 samples) cost $10-15. Happy hour at Latitude 105 offers good value.